From Black Widow to Peace: The Story of Dimasa Insurgency in Assam

The Roots of the Dimasa Insurgency

The Dimasa insurgency in Assam traces its roots to the ancient socio-political history of the Dimasa people, one of the earliest settled ethnolinguistic groups in Northeast India. Historically, they ruled over a powerful kingdom, known as the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom, with capitals in Dimapur (now in Nagaland) and Maibang (now in Assam’s Dima Hasao district). However, with the fall of their kingdom and integration into British India, the Dimasa community gradually lost political dominance. After independence, although they were given partial autonomy under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution through the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, many in the community felt neglected by the state machinery. The continued economic underdevelopment, limited job opportunities, and lack of meaningful autonomy fueled a sense of deprivation. Political promises like Article 244(A), which offered a provision for creating an autonomous state within Assam, were never implemented. These grievances, coupled with a strong ethnic identity and historical pride, led to growing frustration, especially among the Dimasa youth. It was in this environment that the idea of “Dimaraji”—a separate homeland for the Dimasa people—was born.

Historical Legacy and the Demand for Dimaraji

The first armed response to this perceived neglect was the formation of the Dimasa National Security Force (DNSF) around 1990–1991. Led by Bharat Langthasa and Jewel Garlosa, the DNSF started an underground movement for Dimaraji. Initially small, the group grew in strength through alleged support and training from the Naga militant outfit NSCN(IM). In 1994, the government managed to negotiate the surrender of most DNSF cadres, but Jewel Garlosa refused to lay down arms. He went underground and, in 1995, formed a new insurgent outfit called the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) with Dilip Nunisa. This group became the face of the Dimasa armed movement. However, ideological and strategic differences soon surfaced between Garlosa and Nunisa. In 2003, the group split into two factions: DHD(N), led by Dilip Nunisa, who favored negotiations with the government, and DHD(J), led by Garlosa, who continued with violence under the notorious name “Black Widow.”

The Violent Reign of Black Widow and Operation Black Widow

The Black Widow group under Garlosa unleashed terror in the Dima Hasao district with bombings, ambushes, extortion, and targeted killings. Its members regularly sabotaged infrastructure projects, including the vital Lumding–Silchar railway line. The group’s brutal tactics were not limited to government targets; they also attacked civilians from other ethnic communities, triggering ethnic tensions and displacements. In response, the Indian government launched “Operation Black Widow” in 2009. This well-coordinated counterinsurgency campaign led to the arrest of Jewel Garlosa and the surrender of over 360 militants. With this operation, DHD(J) was effectively dismantled. Meanwhile, DHD(N) remained in ceasefire and actively negotiated with the central and state governments.

Emergence and Dissolution of Smaller Splinter Groups

Over time, other smaller groups emerged, including the Dimasa National Democratic Front (DNDF), the Dima Jadi Naiso Army (DJNA), and the National Dimasa Protection Army (NDPA). These groups were mostly formed by disenchanted ex-militants or unemployed youth hoping to capitalize on the confusion and public sympathy. However, they lacked manpower, funding, and community support. Most of them either surrendered or faded away within a few years. By 2012, after long negotiations, both DHD factions signed a peace accord with the Government of India. This accord resulted in the creation of the Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC), granting more financial and administrative powers to the region. The government also pledged a ₹200 crore annual development package for five years to rehabilitate ex-militants and build local infrastructure.

Ethnic Clashes Between Dimasa and Karbi Communities

During the height of the Dimasa insurgency, one of the bloodiest chapters was the ethnic conflict between the Dimasa and Karbi communities. The root of the tension lay in overlapping territorial claims over areas in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong. Between 2003 and 2005, this tension exploded into widespread violence as armed groups from both sides, particularly the Dimasa group DHD(J) and the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), engaged in brutal clashes. Over 90 people were killed, and more than 12,000 villagers were displaced from both communities. Villages were torched, civilians were killed or forced into relief camps, and the region witnessed one of the worst internal ethnic displacements in Assam’s recent history. Though local peace committees have since attempted reconciliation, the scars of this conflict continue to influence inter-community relations.

Notable Operations by Indian Army and Security Forces

The Indian Army, along with Assam Rifles and paramilitary forces, conducted several successful operations to curb insurgency in the region. Chief among these was Operation Black Widow (2009), which dismantled DHD(J) and led to the arrest of Jewel Garlosa. Another major campaign occurred in 2021, when DNLA militants killed five civilians in Diyungmukh. The Army launched a swift and decisive combing operation in the Dima Hasao forest belt, destroying camps, seizing weapons, and neutralizing militant threats. These operations played a critical role in weakening insurgent morale and compelling leadership to seek peace. The Army’s engagement was widely appreciated in restoring peace and preparing the ground for dialogue and development.

Allegations Against the Indian Army and Security Forces

During counter-insurgency operations against groups like DHD(J), KLNLF, and later DNLA, there were occasional allegations against security forces. Some civil society groups and human rights bodies raised concerns about arbitrary detentions and excesses during operations. In a few isolated incidents, families alleged wrongful detention or custodial deaths. While the Indian Army has consistently maintained that all actions were conducted within the ambit of law and necessity, and in the interest of national security, these incidents have remained sensitive points in local discourse. However, the scale and frequency of such complaints were significantly lower compared to other insurgency-affected regions in India.

Key Peace Accords and Leadership Participation

A major breakthrough in resolving the Dimasa conflict came with the 2012 Peace Accord, signed between the Government of India, the Government of Assam, and both factions of Dima Halam Daogah (DHD-N and DHD-J). The agreement was signed in New Delhi, and prominent figures who facilitated the talks included then Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh, Assam’s Chief Secretary N.K. Das, and leaders from both DHD factions—Dilip Nunisa and Jewel Garlosa. The accord included provisions for forming the Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC), rehabilitation of over 1,000 surrendered militants, and economic development packages. Similarly, in April 2023, another major peace agreement was signed between the Government of India, the Government of Assam, and the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA). The signing took place in New Delhi, and the central delegation was led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma represented the state. From the DNLA side, Commander-in-Chief M Batha and political wing leaders were present. This historic agreement marked the complete laying down of arms by DNLA cadres and ensured their inclusion in vocational programs, housing schemes, and local self-governance structures.

The Rise of DNLA and the 2023 Peace Accord

The most recent and final wave of the Dimasa insurgency came with the formation of the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) in April 2019. Unlike earlier factions that demanded an autonomous region, DNLA adopted a more aggressive stance, calling for a sovereign Dimasa homeland outside the Indian Union. They claimed to represent a “true voice” of Dimasa nationalism, alleging that earlier peace deals had failed the people. The group began launching attacks in remote areas of the Dima Hasao district and Karbi Anglong.

One of their deadliest attacks occurred in August 2021, when DNLA militants ambushed and killed five Hindi-speaking truck drivers at Diyungmukh, drawing national outrage. In response, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and paramilitary forces launched a coordinated and massive counter-insurgency operation across the forested tracts of Dima Hasao, targeting known DNLA hideouts. Several camps were destroyed, and weapons caches were seized. The Army’s operations created immense pressure on the leadership of DNLA, forcing them to reassess their strategy. Civil society groups and community elders also urged the group to seek peaceful dialogue.

Under growing internal and external pressure, the DNLA announced a unilateral ceasefire in September 2021. The central and state governments welcomed the decision and initiated formal peace talks. The process culminated in the signing of a historic peace accord in April 2023 in New Delhi. The agreement was signed between the Government of India, the Government of Assam, and the DNLA leadership, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and DNLA’s Commander-in-Chief M Batha, among others.

The peace agreement marked a major turning point: 180 DNLA cadres laid down arms, and the government committed to a ₹1000 crore development package aimed at rebuilding infrastructure, creating employment, and uplifting tribal welfare in the region. In addition, provisions were made for vocational training, housing schemes, and the establishment of welfare councils for non-Dimasa tribal groups to ensure inclusive growth. The accord also offered rehabilitation benefits to surrendered cadres and emphasized the role of democratic engagement in shaping the region’s future.

Post-Accord Developments and Political Integration

Despite peace, not all wounds healed easily. Groups like the Hill Tiger Force emerged, accusing the state of favoring the Dimasa community and demanding the bifurcation of the district to protect minority tribal interests. In response, the government set up special councils for the Hmars, Zemes, and Kukis to ensure their inclusion in political decision-making and fair distribution of resources.

From Insurgency to Inclusion

As of 2025, the Dimasa insurgency is considered fully resolved. No known armed groups are active. The region is witnessing an era of development, backed by peace and stability. Former militants have transitioned to civilian life, and the state machinery is focused on maintaining inclusivity, transparency, and fulfilling the commitments made in the peace accords. Although the dream of Dimaraji may still exist in cultural consciousness, it has now taken the shape of a political demand pursued through constitutional means. The story of the Dimasa insurgency, from armed struggle to democratic participation, stands as a powerful example of how dialogue, development, and inclusion can transform conflict zones into zones of hope